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Leadership

RichardRichard J. Pavlin
Executive Director of TLCThe Treatment and Learning Centers

Richard Pavlin, Executive Director of TLCThe Treatment and Learning Centers since 1980, oversees the six services that TLC provides, including The Katherine Thomas School for preschool though twelfth grade students; The Outcomes Service, a career assessment and employment service for youth and adults; along with The Family Hearing Center, a full-service audiology clinic for all ages; The Early Learning Center, a child care service for children 2 months through 5 years of age; The Outpatient Services, and The Testing & Tutoring Service, providing speech, occupational therapy, and educational testing, tutoring, and counseling services.

Pavlin is directed by a 17 member voluntary Board of Trustees that governs the agency. TLCThe Treatment and Learning Centers is accredited by CARF, The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), and is licensed by the Maryland State Departments of Education Rehabilitation Services, and Health and Mental Hygiene.

Prior to his professional association with TLCThe Treatment and Learning Centers, Pavlin served as Associate Director of the Family Service of Montgomery County from 1972 to 1980.

Pavlin earned a Masters Degree in Health Care Administration at George Washington University, Washington D.C., in 1977; a Masters Degree in Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C., in 1971; and a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania, in 1965.
 

He is a 39 year resident of the Greater Washington Metro area, and lives in Potomac, Maryland with his wife, Claudia, who is an Art Teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools. They are the proud parents of a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Emily. Pavlin is a member of Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, and works with Action in Montgomery (AIM), a non-profit organization that advocates for affordable housing.

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PatriciaPatricia Ann Ritter, Ph.D.
Assistant Executive Director

As Assistant Executive Director of TLCThe Treatment and Learning Centers, Dr. Ritter is responsible for the outpatient departments of Speech, Audiology, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Psychoeducational Testing and Tutoring and Vocational Services. She is also responsible for the budget, recruitment and retention, staff supervision and program quality, as well as marketing and front desk administration. For 17 years, Dr. Ritter has served as a vital member of TLC’s management decision-making team, which influences the organization’s mission, direction and operations.

Concurrently, Dr. Ritter also provides direction for the preschool program and related services at TLC’s Katherine Thomas School. In this capacity, she chaired the board/staff working group that founded the school. Dr. Ritter and a colleague created the original KTS philosophy, model, staffing pattern and administration policy.
 

Dr. Ritter received her Ph.D. in Speech-Language Pathology with a specialty in Child and Adult Language and Second Language Learning from Ohio University.  She received her M.A. in Speech Pathology/Audiology from the University of Texas at El Paso.  She also has a B.S. in Education - Speech and Hearing Therapy from Bowling Green State University.


Dr. Ritter has served on committees for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, in areas of Quality Improvement, Standards and Accreditation, and Administration and Supervision.

In three decades as a speech-language pathologist, Dr. Ritter has developed professional and personal skills in diverse settings, adding to the breadth of experience she brings TLC. Most important, however, Dr. Ritter has been allowed to fulfill her personal goal of making a difference in the lives of others.

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Sue LlynSuellyn Sherwood
Director of Operations, Research Blvd., Rockville, Maryland.

Suellyn Sherwood, Director of Operations, is responsible for the planning, organization, and management of TLC – The Learning and Treatment Center’s financial operations and Human Resources function. In this role, Sherwood implements short and long-range financial plans, policies, and programs of TLC. She assures all financial records and reports are accurately presented on time, and interprets financial statements for the Executive Director, Board, and staff. Sherwood additionally prepares the annual budget with the Executive team; and prepares for the annual certified audit report.

She joins TLCThe Treatment and Learning Centers with 21 years of auditing and accounting experience, in both the corporate and health sectors, as well as for some non-profit organizations. This multi-faceted work has taken place throughout the Greater DC Metro area; and is marked by a sequential growth in management and accounting responsibility. Sherwood’s extensive experience has allowed a smooth progress into her role as Director of Operations at TLC- The Treatment and Learning Centers.

Suellyn Sherwood earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting and Business Administration at Thiel College, in Greenville, Pennsylvania. She further attained her State of Maryland License as a Certified Public Accountant in May of 1989.

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EmilyEmily Kinsler, CCC/SLP.D.
Director, Outpatient Speech-Language Service

Dr. Kinsler, Director for Outpatient Speech-Language Service at TLCThe Treatment and Learning Centers, spearheads evaluation and therapeutic services for TLC’s speech-language clients.

Before joining TLC in 2003, Dr. Kinsler was a visiting professor and clinical supervisor at Towson University in Towson, Md., where she taught undergraduate courses and supervised students in the Speech-Language Hearing Clinic. She also served as a speech-language pathologist for the Hannah More School (HMS) and HMS Severn River Middle School Project. There, she assisted in creating an inclusive program for middle school students diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, successfully integrating these children into mainstream classrooms. Dr. Kinsler also created and implemented Individual Education Plan (IEP) objectives for Hannah More students with pervasive development disorders. The objectives were then successfully applied in small group and classroom settings.

Dr. Kinsler received her SLP.D. in speech-language pathology from Nova Southeastern University. She received her M.A. in the same specialty from the George Washington University. She also has a B.A. in psychology from the University of North Carolina.

Dr. Kinsler is president of the Maryland Speech-Language Hearing Association (MSHA) and has served on the Executive Board for the last two years.

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SusanSusan Yaffe-Oziel, M.M.S., CCC-A
Director of Audiology, The Family Hearing Center

Ms. Yaffe-Oziel, Director of Audiology at TLC’s Family Hearing Center, brings TLC and its clients more than 20 years of experience. She leads operation of the audiology center, which includes coordinating staff appointments, budget allocation, patient services, outreaching to the community and publishing a quarterly newsletter. Before joining TLC, Ms. Yaffe-Oziel was an audiologist and clinical instructor at George Washington University for 14 years. She was also a consultant at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, MD where she developed an OAE screening program for newborn and high-risk infants. In 1993, Ms. Yaffe-Oziel co-wrote “Walking Through the Early Stages of Hearing Loss,” published in the Self Help for Hard of Hearing (SHHH) Journal.

Ms. Yaffe-Oziel received her a Masters of Medical Science in audiology from Emory University. She holds a B.S. in Speech Pathology/Audiology from Emerson College and has a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A). She also is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

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PattonDebra Paton
Director. Outpatient Occupational Therapy Service

Debra Paton, Director of Occupational Therapy, specializes in sensory integration issues and helping children effectively meet challenges presented at home, in school, and throughout the community.   At TLC, Ms. Paton oversees services provided by TLC’s occupational therapists, including individual and group therapy, summer programs, as well as consultation and diagnostic services for children with a variety of developmental delays which may include sensory integration/modulation issues, motor planning difficulties, fine motor delays, and/or visual motor and visual perception deficits.  Ms. Paton brings over 13 years of occupational therapy experience to TLC.

Ms. Paton began her career with the United States Army.  Subsequently, she graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Sciences in Social Work and a second Bachelor of Sciences in Occupational Therapy from Kansas University Medical Center.  She worked with the Wichita School System for ten years assisting children with a range of diagnoses.   At TLC, Ms. Paton’s wealth of knowledge in Occupational Therapy services will help her reach her goal which is to help children function better in their environment and in their interaction with others.

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LisaLisa A. Lenhart
Senior Psychologist, The Testing and Tutoring Service

Dr. Lenhart, Senior Psychologist at TLCThe Treatment and Learning Centers, brings more than 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents. At TLC, Dr. Lenhart conducts psychological evaluations on individuals of all ages to determine academic or emotional concerns. She also offers TLC clients individual and family therapy and consultation. Before joining TLC, Dr. Lenhart was a senior clinical psychologist at the Reginald S. Lourie Center in Rockville, MD. In this capacity, she was responsible for conducting evaluations on children under 7 years old who were seeking mental health services. She also participated on the Child Placement Consultation Team and oversaw the development of outcome-oriented research.

Dr. Lenhart has administered more than 150 Rorschach Tests and has led Area Health Education Center (AHEC) workshops on both the assessment and treatment of aggressive children and building self-esteem in aggressive youth. In addition, she was a panel speaker for the League of Women Voters Forum titled Community at Risk: Violence in our Midst. For six years, Dr. Lenhart was the reviewer for The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research. She is currently an active member of the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Lenhart received her Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina. She has a B.A. in psychology from Kent State University.

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JaniceJanice E. Jones
Tutoring Supervisor, The Testing and Tutoring Service

Ms. Jones, Supervisor of Tutoring Services at TLCThe Treatment and Learning Centers, evaluates and assigns tutors to best satisfy the needs of TLC students. She also creates and leads workshops for tutors, school staff and the public, offering guidance and direction at TLC and in the community. She also tutors students of all ages in reading, writing, and study skills. For six years, Ms. Jones has written articles on tutoring, reading, writing and study skills for Washington Parent magazine.

Before joining TLC, Ms. Jones was an adjunct professor in the English Department at Montgomery College, where she taught Reading and Composition Courses. She also taught an adult reading class and a reading skills workshop for gifted and talented high school students in the Continuing Education Department. Ms. Jones has advanced training in the Wilson Reading System, a multi-sensory phonetic reading method, and Phonographix Reading, a clinical method. She has attended various workshops, symposiums and conferences sponsored by the International Dyslexia Association. She received training in Orton-Gillingham reading methods during 3 years as an Academic Therapist at the Center School of the National Institute of Dyslexia.

Ms. Jones received her Master of Education degree from the University of Maryland and has completed graduate-level writing, literature and history courses at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. She has a B.A. in English from Kansas State University.

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RhonaRhona Schwartz
High School Director, TLC’s Katherine Thomas School

Rhona Schwartz, High School Director at TLC’s Katherine Thomas School, is directly responsible for all facets of the high school program, including administration, hiring and supervising staff, overseeing admissions and outplacement, maintaining state licensure and certifications requirements, program planning and curriculum development and preparing annual budgets.

As an administrator and a classroom teacher, she has more than 25 years of experience working with children and adolescents with learning disabilities. Before joining KTS, Mrs. Schwartz spent over eight years as the Assistant Head of the high school at The Lab School of Washington. In this position she supervised 40 teaching staff and curriculum for over 130 students, supervised achievement and state testing, ensured development and implementation of IEPs, conducted meetings with interdisciplinary staff, worked with placement specialists from funding jurisdictions, and maintained contact and conducted conferences with parents. Ms. Schwartz left the high school to become the Director of Tutoring, where she supervised 75 active tutors, planned and implemented staff training, managed the annual budget, established partnerships with other institutions and conducted educational workshops.

Mrs. Schwartz received an M.A. in special education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a B.A. in youth and community studies/sociology from State University of New York at Stony Brook. She is a member of The Learning Disabilities Association and the Council for Exceptional Children.

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NancyNancy Amundson
Director, The Outcomes Service

Ms. Amundson, Director of TLC’s Outcomes Service, has 30 years of experience in Vocational Rehabilitation. At TLC, she spearheads programs that enable adults with brain injury, cognitive impairments, neurological and developmental disabilities to succeed in the community.

In 1996, she led Outcomes to receive the Maryland Rehabilitation Association’s Organization Award, given for “excellence in contributing to the well-being of persons with disabilities above and beyond the purpose for which the organization was established.” In addition to her rehabilitation expertise, Ms. Amundson also has a strong background in both management and public relations.

Ms. Amundson received her M.S. in educational rehabilitation counseling from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and a B.A. in political science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is a distinguished member of the National Rehabilitation Association, Maryland Rehabilitation Administration Association, Brain Injury Association of Maryland, and the winner of the 1994 Jonathan M. Stein Staff Appreciation Award.

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KellyKelly L. King
Director, The Early Learning Center

Ms. King, Director of TLC’s Early Learning Center, is responsible for staff supervision, training and evaluation. In addition, she is responsible for ensuring developmentally-appropriate practices and that curriculum is implemented as outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Before joining TLC, Ms. King was a full-time teacher at the Quality Care Child Development Center in Hickory, NC, and a co-teacher at the Tutor Time Learning Center in Durham, NC.

Ms. King received her B.A. in elementary education from Lenior-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC. She also received infant and toddler certification from the Montgomery County Child Care Association (MCCA) and the 90-hour certification through Montgomery College.

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Thomas Sweet
Interim Director, The Katherine Thomas Lower/Middle School Programs

Mr. Sweet begins his term as Interim Director on July 1, 2008. He has completed course work for his PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Virginia, holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from George Mason University and did his undergraduate work at The College of William & Mary. He has been a special education teacher in the Fairfax Public schools and is currently a Program Coordinator at The Forbush School which is part of the Sheppard Pratt Health System. Mr. Sweet and his wife are expecting their first child in August and currently reside in Vienna, Virginia.

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TLCThe Treatment and Learning Centers
 

          Administration     The Outpatient Services
The Family Hearing Center     The Testing Service
The Outcomes Service
 

The Tutoring Service
The Katherine Thomas School (PreK12th)
 The Early Learning Center
Camp Littlefoot
 

The Early Learning Center
 

2301 Research Blvd. Suite 110 & 220
Rockville, MD 20850
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9975 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
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14910 Broschart Road
Rockville, MD 20850
301.251.1369
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